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10th Annual Operation Helping Hero's Freedom Ride

The Eastern PA River Runners, a local charter club of The American Watercraft Association, along with Reading Standard Motorsports out of Reading, Pa.,The Occoquan Harbour Marina and Blu 1681 Restaurant out of Woodbridge, Va. are proud to team with The Family & Friends For Freedom Fund Inc., to raise money for this wonderful organization that aids in the recovery of our combat wounded Marines and servicemen and women from other branches of the armed forces recovering at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and other hospitals in the surrounding regions. The 10h Annual Operation Helping Hero’s Freedom Ride will commence with the hopes and dreams of America’s Hero’s riding with us. We will set out on a journey of approximately 400 miles round trip in 3 days on personal watercraft and boats. The journey will take the following route:

First Day at Sunrise – Friday July 15th: Depart from Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD. and head down the Chesapeake Bay turning up the Potomac River to Occoquan Harbour Marina in Woodbridge, Va. for a layover that evening.

Morning of the Second Day – Saturday July 16th: Head down the Potomac River to Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge, VA. where they will meet up with an estimated 50 to 75 personal watercraft riders and boat pilots from around the area. The group will then travel to Washington D.C. in the hopes of raising awareness within the community and the government to the much needed help and care of America’s combat wounded Marines and servicemen and women from all branches of the armed forces. The group will then go to Blu 1681 Restaurant in Woodbridge, Va. for lunch and a great afternoon of fun, entertainment, and festivities before returning to the Occoquan Harbour Marina for the evening.

Morning of the Last Day – Sunday July 17th: The River Runners will depart from Occoquan Harbour Marina and begin their trip back to Sandy Point State Park along the same path that they arrived.

What we are in search of on this ride is the support by presence of every watercraft club, rider, boater and enthusiast in and around the surrounding area as well as those who wish to travel to ride for this great cause, to join us on Saturday July 16th at Leesylvania State Park at 10:00 a.m. for a ride to Washington D.C. to raise “Awareness By Presence” and then head to Blu 1681 Restaurant in Woodbridge, Va. for a great time.Check in time for the ride on Saturday July 16th begins at 7:30 a.m. until 9:20 a.m. at the launch ramp area to the left of the main pavilion (if facing the Potomac River) where the sailboat hoists are located. There will be a mandatory riders meeting at 9:30 a.m. and we will depart for Washington D.C. promptly at 10:00 a.m.

All those who wish to participate in either the entire 3 day event July 15th, 16th and 17th or the 1 day only ride to Washington D.C on July 16th are required to pre-register by July 10, 2016. There will be a $25.00 registration donation per watercraft.

There will be a raffle drawing of great prizes donated by our many wonderful sponsors and supporters held at Blu 1681 Restaurant after our luncheon, All pre-registered participants ( before July 10, 2016 ) will receive one ticket towards the raffle drawing. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Leesylvania State Park Boat Ramp and Blu 1681 Restaurant until the drawing. All donations collected will go directly to The Family & Friends For Freedom Fund Inc. Registration information is available on our website at www.easternpariverrunners.org

Those who are interested in the full 3 day journey are asked to contact us before registering to receive important additional information. General Information as well as hotel accommodation information can be obtained by e-mailing us at contact@easternpariverrunners.org

Please note the full 3 day ride IS limited. The 1 day only ride on July 16th is NOT limited at this time.

If you and your family believe and are thankful for the freedom we have, then help those who have fought and suffered to bring us that freedom. Please give back to those who gave so much. Do your part in whatever way you can to help The Family & Friends For Freedom Fund Inc. assist the fine servicemen and women who have fought so bravely for your right to live in the home of the FREE and the BRAVE.

Operation Helping Hero’s Freedom Ride shirts can be ordered up to June 26, 2016. Shirts are $20.00 each for our regular t-shirts, $23.00 for our quick dry short sleeve shirts and $25.00 for our quick dry long sleeve shirts. Ordering information can be found on the registration page. For each shirt ordered you will receive one additional raffle ticket.